Issue 8 of Government devotes attention to Europe’s increasingly unclear place in the world.
Euroscepticism mounts in response to a number of social problems ahead of elections next year. There is a sense of conflict brewing with Russia as the EU tries to draw in the countries along its eastern fringe closer to the Union’s sphere of influence, and the ongoing conflict in Syria requires an urgent response. All of these factors have cast uncertainty over some of Europe’s relationships with outside countries, and called into question what citizens want for the bloc’s future.
In light of this, the publication focuses on relationships at home and abroad by profiling a Swiss-Swedish innovation partnership, the possibility of closer collaboration under a proposed single European telecoms market, and the future of European defence collaboration.
How is the EU engaging with outside countries?
- Wilfried Martens, president of the European People’s Party, celebrates Europe’s ability to overcome the challenges of the past few years, in a posthumously published piece;
- Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva discusses the uncertain world facing refugees from the ongoing Syrian conflict;
- Vital Moreira of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade outlines the group’s current agenda;
- Daniel Calleja Crespo, the Commission’s Director General for Enterprise, reflects on Europe’s need for a strong and stable defence sector;
- Ina Kirsch of the European Centre for a Modern Ukraine describes how Ukraine seems to be moving closer to the EU; and
- Micha Werner of UNESCO’s Institute for Water Education outlines the organisation’s international education efforts.
How are social challenges being addressed?
- Lithuanian Minister of Health Vytenis Andriukaitis spoke about public health priorities during the country’s Presidency of the Council of Europe;
- The World Health Organization’s Zsuzsanna Jakab details health inequalities and other public health issues;
- Liri Kopaçi-Di Michele, head of the Council of Europe’s Gender Unit, outlines efforts to tackle inequalities;
- The leaders of the Cities Action for Social Housing explain how to policies must support sustainable social housing; and
- Antonio Avenoso of the European Transport Safety Council argues that better road infrastructure can prevent road traffic collisions.
